Search - Ugly Duckling :: Fresh Mode

Be True to HipHop by buying the dopest record this year

z funk | 09/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Einstein is the best producer in hip hop right now, using real samples and beats, unlike that fake keyboard wackness. Though many question the complexity of the lyrics, the emcees specifically made their lyrics easy to understand so the masses could feel it...trust me, I have all their demos and it is way to complex to even try and understand. You know they come off dope, so don't front, spend the measly $8 and sit back and remind yourself what real hip hop used to mean... Be on the lookout for the full length album, Down the Road, January 2000 on 1500 records..Blow it up hip hop heads, if we don't support the real stuff, all we will get is puffy and dmx"

Fresh

jiakenmin | OZ | 07/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had the opportunity to interview these guys for a campus paper a few years back, and trust me, they're not just some white guys trying be a part of this scene. Ugly Duckling has an old school throwback that's drawn comparisons between them and Jurassic 5. The only difference is that while J5 reminisces on the early 80's, the Native Tongues (esp De La Soul) influence in Ugly Duckling's music is pretty apparent. Young Einstein is one talented producer, definitely one to look out for in the future, and emcees Andycat and Dizzy approach the mic with a lighthearted demeanor that contrasts with today's thugged out hip-hop the same way that De La Soul's 3 Feet & Rising did back in 89. You probably won't find a cleaner album in the rap section of the store (one of Ugly Duckling's rules: don't curse). The only drawback is that some of the lyricism is a little corny (some people might call it weak) but if you're feigning for the old days, this album is a breath of fresh air."

New York Jazz beats meet Jurassic 5

Neil Collis | London, England | 04/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I put this on the deck I was blown away with the crisp jazz samples kinda reminding me of Low End period Tribe and the like. The 2 MCs flow in a non complicated yet refeshing style that is pure hod nod material. This album is absolutely superb, quality from end to end and the classic hip hop quotable "Do You Know What I'm Sayin" is awesome. As someone kinda said recently "Pretty Fly for White Guys" (sic). Not that it means too much but the cover is one of the best as well !"